From a distance, the Kinze planter looked no different from any others as it chattered across a field Feb. 21 in Moody, Texas. But "under the hood," this Kinze planter had two seed meters for each row and was placing two hybrids in different areas of the field, depending on what a predetermined digital map dictated.

Welcome to the world of concept multi-hybrid planters. This one, which was on its inaugural public run, was the result of a collaboration of Beck's Hybrid's, Kinze Manufacturing and Raven Industries.

The stars seem to be aligning for multi-hybrid planting technology, which promises a ...